Jenson Button will take part in
Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix after escaping unharmed from an attempted attack by an armed gang in Sao Paulo.

The car taking the Formula One world champion from the Interlagos track to his hotel following Saturday’s qualifying session was confronted by six men brandishing machine guns after it became stuck in traffic.

Jenson Button was not injured during the attack (PA)

Fortunately for Button – who was accompanied by his father, manager and physio – a specially-trained police driver was at the wheel of his car.

The driver managed to force his way through the traffic, clipping several other vehicles in the process, and speed Button away from danger and back to his hotel.

Button described the experience as ‘pretty terrifying’ and suggested he may have been targeted by the carjacking gang.

He added: ‘Our driver angled the car and just floored it. He was a complete legend. We bounced off about five cars. We were literally driving over the top of them.’

Button had been supplied with a vehicle fitted with bullet-proof glass and the experienced driver because of the risk of such a carjacking attack when travelling close to Sao Paulo’s favelas.

The incident rounded off a disappointing return to the city where he clinched the world championship last year, as the McLaren driver also saw his slim hopes of retaining his title disappear when he qualified in 11th place on the grid.